3. Parental Tax Credit

This is paid for the first eight weeks after the birth of your baby. Parental Tax Credit is income tested and the maximum amount you can receive in 2014/5 is a lump sum of $1,200. If the mother has been working, it is often more beneficial to apply for Paid Parental Leave.

4. Paid Parental Leave

Paid Parental leave is available when working mothers take parental leave from their job(s) to care for their newborn. For most people, paid parental leave is worth more than parental tax credit. You cannot receive paid parental leave payments and parental tax credit for the same child. If you meet the criteria for both payments you’ll need to decide which payment you’d like to receive. The maximum Parental Leave payment is $488.17 per week for up to 14 weeks in 2014/15.

Comments

Could you please give me some feedback as to what my responsibilities and entitlements are for financial help in new zealand. My wife and I recently (June 13, 2012) have had a child in Adelaide, Australia. While our child is born in Australia, because my wife and I are both New Zealanders and not permanent residences, we are not entitled to extra family assistance apart from the baby bonus. My wife is at home, and I am a full time officer worker in Adelaide, Australia earning about 35,000 per year. Would we be entitled to receive parental tax credit or any other family helps although we do not live in New Zealand at present, but are both citizens and our Child is also a New Zealander as neither my wife nor I am a permanent Australian resident? Thank you for your time. Tony

Hi Tony,
You will not qualify for New Zealand family assistance while you are living in Australia. This includes parental tax credit.

To qualify for New Zealand family assistance you must meet at least one of these residency requirements:
• You’re a New Zealand resident and have been in New Zealand continuously for at least 12 months at any time. You must be both a tax resident and resident in New Zealand when you apply for your payments, or
• The children you’re claiming for are residents of AND present in New Zealand.

Could you please advise as to whether I would be eligible for any of the Family tax credit and In Work Tax credit. I am moving home in early January 2013 with my 12 year old daughter. We are both New Zealanders by birth. We do not have permanent residency for Australia. We are only classed as permanent residents for tax purposes. Would I be entitled to the above payments as soon as I move back or do I have to wait for twelve months. I have only been in Australia five years and the rest of the time I was living in NZ..

Could you please give me some feedback as to what my responsibilities and entitlements are for financial help in new zealand. My husband has a New Zealand Permanent residency. I also have a NZ permanant residency. We are about to have a child in November. I used to work on temporary contracts provided by my employment agency but now my contract has finished and I dont have a job. My husband works for 40 hours per week and is paid $14 hourly. We live with our inlaws but we do pay them board.Can you please advice me as to if either of us is eligible for any financial support in NZ and if we are then when should we apply for?

Hi there,
Since you both have permanent residence in New Zealand your child will be given permanent residence and you will qualify for family assistance. You will qualify for in work tax credit ($120 per fortnight maximum) as you husband works for more than 30 hours and you will also qualify for family tax credit ($184 maximum for one child) and parental tax credit ($1,200 maximum over eight weeks).
Living with relatives does not affect the payment amounts for family assistance.
The Inland Revenue website has details of how to apply. You can apply once your baby is born.

My partner and I are in NZ on work visas and are expecting a child due in January. I work 40 hours a week, since March 2012, and my partner is between jobs. We have applied for residency but that isn’t expected to go through until March 2013. What entitlements do we have to family tax credits?

Hi Peter,
You will not qualify for family tax credits until you have a permanent residence visa. The IRD says:
“If you and your children are in New Zealand unlawfully or hold only a temporary permit or visa, you’re not a New Zealand resident for Working for Families Tax Credits purposes. If you’re unsure if you meet the residency requirements, please call us on 0800 227 773. “

Could you please advise whether I would be eligible for any of the Family tax credit and In Work Tax credit. I am a New Zealand citizen and have two children who were born in Taiwan. Recently I am planing to go back NZ in Mar. of 2012 for my children’s education. Since I have been in oversea for ten years long., would I still be entitled to the above payments as soon as I move back or do I have to wait for twelve months.

Could you please advise what form of financial assistance I will be eligible for. My husband and I relocated from Australia in April 2012. My Husband was born in New Zealand, I am an Australian Citizen but we intend on remaining in New Zealand permanently. My husband works 40 hours per week and is paid $15 hourly. At present, I work 15-20 hours per week with the same hourly rate. We are expecting our first child in March 2013. Will we be eligible for any assistance.

Yes, you do qualify for family assistance. The amount you receive will depend on your earnings. For 2012 -13 the maximum amount you can receive for one child is $92 a week Family Tax Credit and $60 a week In Work Tax Credit.

On an annual income of between $42,501 and $44,000 you would qualify for $61 a week Family Tax Credit and $60 a week In Work Tax Credit.

You can see the full payment scale on this pdf file. (Opens in new window.)

I’d like some information on pre-schools. My husband and I are Irish and have temporary work visas and intend to apply for residency. We have a two-and-a-half year old. I have read that 3 years old receive 20 hours free pre-school education in NZ. I assume this only applies to citizens? Is there an option to pay for it ourselves? I am currently a home-maker. My husband has a full time job.
Thanks.

Hi Sarah,
Any three-, four- or five-year-old child in New Zealand can be enrolled in early childhood education (ECE) and receive 20 hours free ECE even if they are not a New Zealand resident or citizen.
Early childhood education services include kindergartens, private day care centres and playcentres. You can check with the ECE providers in your area to see if they offer the 20 hours free scheme – most do.

My partner and I have been living in Australia now for almost 6 years with our 3 children, now aged twins 14 and eldest 18. Prior to moving to Australia, I was on the DPB and living apart from the childrens father, due to certain circumstances. When we finally decided to move, reality sunk in and their father decided he couldn’t live without us and decided to make the move with us. I had informed WINZ and filled out a form cancelling any future payments as well as any outstanding monies owed to us by their father. I cant exactly remember what form it was and now their father has been issued with a letter from IRD stating he owes X amount of dollars for child support owed to myself, which we were both extremely shocked to find out. He also had previous children which he alreday paid complete child support for but the letter had also stated one of his children’s names on it, which is not correct and already settled and paid off and she is now 21. Full payment was made to the mother of these children 2 or 3 years ago. Can you please advise of what we need to do, other than contest to this???He is in fear that he may be stopped coming through customs on our next visit back to NZ.
Regards,
Highly concerned

Hi there,
I suggest that the father contacts child support in New Zealand. The number for calling from Australia (landline only) is 1 800 504 042. Child Support can check that their records are up to date and advise the father if he needs to do anything further to resolve the situation.

Hi there,
Both my husband and I are NZers our children were born in Australia, we moved back to NZ 3 yers ago. We have income from Australia + a little here. Are we intitled to any support here, we didnt think so but have been told everyone is intitled to family assistance or something?
Thanks

Yes, you do qualify for family assistance. The amount you receive will depend on your earnings. For 2012 -13 the maximum amount you can receive for two children is $157 a week Family Tax Credit and $60 a week In Work Tax Credit. This amount is for families with a family income of $36,350 or less.

You can see the full payment scale on this pdf file. (Opens in new window.)

My husband and i are here since january, and we both have work visas. He is currently employed but i am not. What happends if i have a child here? will i receive some kind of financial help if i am not working?

My baby will automatically be granted citizenship? i will receive residence visa due to the fact that my baby will be born a nz citizen?
thank you.

Hi Alina,
To qualify for family assistance you or your child will need to be a permanent resident of New Zealand or a New Zealand citizen. If you and your children hold only a temporary permit or visa, you’re not a New Zealand resident for Working for Families Tax Credits purposes.

Children born in New Zealand acquire New Zealand citizenship at birth only if at least one of their parents:
• is a New Zealand citizen; or
• is entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely in terms of the Immigration Act 2009 (i.e. has a residence permit or visa, or is an Australian citizen or permanent resident); or
• is entitled to reside indefinitely in the Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue.

Otherwise the newborn becomes a citizen of the country of one of the parents, according to that country’s laws.

My wife just left me with our two boys and we are all permanent resident here. I can’t find work because of medical problems. My wife was the bread winner but now she left me. What assistance am I going to have with this?

You can contact Work and Income who will advise you of your entitlements. For example Domestic Purposes benefit is a weekly payment which helps sole parents with one or more dependent children. The maximum gross rate is currently $333.01 a week.

Eligibility rules from Work and Income:

“You may get Domestic Purposes Benefit – Sole Parent if you:
• are the parent of a child under 18 who is dependent on you
• are not in a relationship with the other parent
• do not have a partner or you have lost the support of your partner
• are 19 or over.

You must also:
• be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• have lived in New Zealand for at least 2 years at any one time since becoming a New Zealand citizen or resident (unless you are a refugee).
You should also normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.”

Hi, my husband, myself and 4 children all under the age of 16 are considering moving back to NZ after 13 years in QLD. My eldest child was born in NZ, my second is a citizen of descent and has a NZ passport and youngest 2 have Aus passports. What kind of income support or family payments will we be in titled too?

You will qualify for family assistance as soon as you and your family arrive back in NZ. Your children will all be classed as ‘resident’ for family assistance purposes. (they’re entitled to be in New Zealand or Australia indefinitely)

Hi, I have 4 children ranging in ages from 13 – 18 for whom I receive FTC and IWTC. My eldest child (18) is leaving to go to University next year. As the family income is over the threshold for her to receive a student allowance I will be providing a weekly allowance for her living expenses. Will I still receive FTC and IWTC for her or will it now be for 3 children?

“Children aged 18 years of age must be attending either secondary school or tertiary education and not be financially independent. You will receive payments up to the end of the calendar year (31 December) in which the child turns 18, or the date the child becomes financially independent, whichever is the earlier.”

If your eldest child is already 18, family assistance payments will stop for her at the latest on 31.12.2012. You will receive family assistance payments for three children starting from January next year.

I have been awarded a New Zealand Pacific Scholarship to do my studies under the Master of Public Health program at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) starting in Feb 2013. Under the said scholarship my husband will be given a 40 hrs work permit over the scholarship period (2 years). Neither of us (my husband and myself) have a NZ permanent residency BUT our son aged 11 years is a NZ citizen. We are planning to move in NZ early 2013.

My husband and I are hoping to emigrate to NZ next year with our 5 children under 18. My husband qualifies for permanent residency under the skilled migrant category. Will our children therefore become permanent residents as soon as we arrive and therefore entitle us to any financial assistance?

Your children would be considered ‘resident’ for Family Assistance purposes if one of their parents has permanent residence.
You would therefore be entitled to Family Assistance as soon as you and your family arrive in New Zealand.

Hi
I wonder can you help me please. My husband is from nz and I am Irish were both living in Ireland. We are planning to move to nz next year. We would like to start a family soon. If we wait until we get to nz will I be entitled to family assistance . I am planning on having residency before i arrive. Maybe you can also answer my next question. If i am lucky enough to get a job as soon as i arrive and fall pregnant straight away too Do I have to be working a certain amount of time in nz before my employer will pay maternity pay or does it depend on the actual employer and the contract drawn up. Many thanks in advance

If your husband is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident then you will qualify for family assistance as soon as you have returned to New Zealand and have a family.

There are two parental benefits available, Parental Tax Credit and Paid Parental Leave. If you qualify for both, you can choose which one to take.

You may qualify for Parental Tax Credit (maximum of $1,200) if, during the eight weeks after the child’s birth, you and/or your partner did not receive any of the following:
• an income-tested benefit from the Department of Work and Income
• New Zealand Superannuation or veteran’s pension
• a student allowance
• weekly accident compensation (for more than three months).

To receive Paid Paternal Leave, you must have worked for the same employer for an average of at least 10 hours a week, and at least one hour in every week or 40 hours in every month, in the six or 12 months immediately before the baby’s expected due date.

Hi there, I am a NZ citizen, my 2 children age 9 have NZ passports by descent, my husband has a temporary visa for 2yrs. We are moving back to NZ as I have decided to move back to reunite with family after 19 years. Both not working until we arrive and search for work, schooling for the kids and accommodation to live…basically start again from the beginning! What sort of financial help could I be entitled to help start a new beginning with my family so we can get a kick start?

Hi Athina,
If your children are NZ citizens then you do qualify for family assistance as soon as you and your family arrive in New Zealand. The amount you receive will depend on your earnings. For 2012 -13 the maximum amount you can receive for two children is $157 a week Family Tax Credit and $60 a week In Work Tax Credit. This amount is for families with a family income of $36,350 or less.

Can you please clarify what you meant by “granted permanent residence” from the paragraph below ? Does it mean you have to wait for 2 years after arrival?

“Family Assistance is available immediately to migrants, provided your children have been granted permanent residence in New Zealand. You do not have to live in New Zealand for any pre-set time before you make a claim.”

Family Assistance is available immediately to migrants who have children with the right to live indefinitely in New Zealand. This usually means that the children are New Zealand citizens or have permanent residency (ie they’re entitled to be in New Zealand or Australia indefinitely)

If your children have either a residence visa or a permanent residence visa, they are allowed to live in New Zealand permanently, so both visas have the same entitlement for family assistance purposes.

I am currently pregnant with twins. I qualify and will be taking paid parental leave, but also would qualify for the parental tax credit.
I see on the DOL website it says you cannot take both paid parental leave and parental tax credit in relation to the same child. Twins are not the same child, they are 2 children, so can I take my PPL for one child and claim PTC for the other?
That aditional payment would really help with having to buy 2 of everything!!

You would need to choose between paid parental leave and parental tax credit according to this advice:

‘What if I have twins or triplets?

If you have a multiple birth, this doesn’t change how much leave you’re entitled to, nor how much your paid leave payments will be. (But if you have triplets it may be better to apply for the Parental Tax Credit than parental leave payments: contact IRD about this.) ‘

We moved to NZ 5 1/2 years ago approximately and have both worked in healthcare. However since our move, We had a second child whilst here and I have not been in employment since pregnancy and have received no payments prior or since the birth of our child. We were granted perminant residence 5 weeks after his birth. He has been very poorly since birth and I have been unable to returnto work due to this. He is much improved now. My husband has an income of over 50,000 per annum and we also have a child of 15 whom is in full time education. Some people say we ern to much others say everyone is entitled so was jousting wanting to find out if we are entitled to anything or not? Many thx for your help in this matter

There is a weekly payment chart you can refer to which can help you decide if you qualify for any family assistance payments.

For an annual income of $50,000 with 2 children, you would receive $101 a week Family Tax Credit and $60 a week In Work tax Credit. For an annual income of $50,001 to $50,500 with 2 children, you would receive $95 a week Family Tax Credit and $60 a week In Work Tax Credit.

Annual income is based on the tax year (March to April) and you can backdate your application to your date of permanent residency. You can opt to receive the payments fortnightly or you can get a lump sum payment at the end of the tax year.

I am currently pregnant with my first child and due early next year. I am currently receiving a sickness benefit due to being a temp worker pre-pregnancy and not being able to pick up anything more than casual employment due to the pregnancy. I now have a partner but we split all rent, bills etc equally (he does not pay for me or my bills), he works full-time and earns around $19 an hour. What are we entitled to?

Have found your site to be very helpful. Am about to return to NZ with my family as a permanent resident after many years away but am an Australian citizen. Can you tell me who I contact with regard to family assistance entitlements for my 2 kids (2 and 5yrs). In Australia it is the family Assistance Office but I am sure it probably has a different name in NZ. Thanks.

You contact Inland Revenue to apply for family assistance. You can apply online or by application form. You will need to decide if you want Family Assistance paid in fortnightly payments or paid as a lump sum at the end of the tax year.

If you choose to receive payments during the year it is advisable to make as good an estimate of your family income to avoid being overpaid (and having to pay money back).

I am a NZ citizen I have two children my son who is 5 and my daughter who is 6 months old they are both also citizens , i dont work but my partner does he works 40 hours a week and is on $17.50 , we are living solely on his income he is the father to my 2nd child but not to my first i am the only legal guardian for my son he does not have a father on Birth Cert , but my partner cares for him can we get any kind of family tax credit ? And can my partner or myself claim for my son ?
Please help not to sure how the family tax credits work or even if we are entitled to anything .

You will qualify for family assistance as soon as you and your family arrive in NZ. Your child will all be classed as ‘resident’ for family assistance purposes. (he/she is entitled to be in New Zealand or Australia indefinitely)

My wife and I, both NZ citizens, have recently moved back to NZ from Australia to have our first child. Although I have managed to get a job in NZ, my wife has not. We will have been back in NZ for 6.5 months when our child is born. Are we eligible for any form of monetary support for our baby?

As your baby will be a NZ citizen, you will qualify for family assistance. The maximum fortnightly tax credit payment available for one child (for families earning less than $36,350 per annum) is $184. You would also qualify for the in-work tax credit of up to $120 a fortnight.

My husband and I are both permanent residents and both currently work 40 hours per week. My husband earns $25 per hour and i earn $27 per hour. We have a daughter who was born in NZ who is 3 years old. I am pregnant and about to give birth on 15 January 2013. I am wanting to apply for the paid parental leave benefit . Which is more beneficial? Should i apply for the paid parental leave benefit or do we qualify for any other family assistance benefits such as work-in tax credits, family tax credit, parent tax credit or are there any other family assistance benefits we qualify for while i am on maternity leave?
What do you recommend?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Lane

If you qualify for both parental tax credit and paid parental leave, then you can choose which one to take. Usually for a working mother you will receive more with paid parental leave. Parental tax credit is available to permanent residents and the requirements for parental leave are detailed in the link below.

In addition you will qualify for family tax credit and in-work tax credit. Have a look at this chart which shows family income and the weekly payments you would receive. You receive the maximum payment for an annual family income of $36,350 or less.

I am deciding to move back to N.Z in a few months time. I have a grandchild in my care who was born in Australia. I am a permanent resident in Australia but wish to ask if I would get any support from the government if I move back to N.Z. Would I have to put the child on a New Zealand passport or will he be accepted on Australian passport for we have not decided what passport he is suppose to have. Could you please reply back to me. Much appreciated for your time.

Myself and my fiancee are planning on moving back to nz to have our first child, we have both been living in Australia for 8yrs+ and were planning on coming back once she can no longer work as our rent in Sydney is $700 per week and difficult on one wage, we are both kiwis and trying to decide when would be best to come back, 6 months before birth? So she can get the parental leave or is the tax credit or what we would be eligible for not much less? We would be eligible for parental leave in Australia! Thanks for any help

Hi.my husband and I are new zealend permanent residence.my hubby is going to study full time this year .it has been a real struggle migrating although we both work are we entitled to any financial assistance.my income is $67000 per annum.we have 2children 6and 8.

Hi! Thanks for all the useful information you have been providing. I have a question though…My hubby (Kiwi) and I (Aussie) and our five blessings (Aust born) are planning on moving back to NZ next year permanently. Would we be entitled to any family assistance, and what would that be. Also, We both have IRD numbers, but as we have been in Australia for past 13 yrs, we have lost them, can we get new ones, or the old ones re-given to us? and how do I get IRD numbers for our kids, the form I looked up said they need certain forms, but as children, and Australians, they don’t have a passport with permits or visas, or NZ birth certificates or drivers licence…is there a way to get these numbers without that proof? Thanks again in advance..

When you and your family return to New Zealand you would be entitled to family assistance. The amount you receive depends on your family income and the number of children you have.

You would need your ‘old’ IRD numbers and if you contact IRD they should be able to give you these. It may be helpful if you have your previous NZ addresses as this information may be needed.

Your children will need passports to come to New Zealand and you can use these to obtain IRD numbers in New Zealand.

There will be a delay between arriving in NZ and receiving your family assistance but family assistance can be backdated to the time of your arrival in NZ and you will receive any shortfall at the end of the tax year.

Hi there, I’m thinking I need to go onto some sort of benefit or something my partner annual income is 29000 we have 2 kids under 5 he works 40 hours a week I am wondering what we would qualify for and how to work out what we would get if I stopped working to stay home as I have a baby thanks

Assuming that your children are NZ citizens or have permanent residence, there is a weekly payment chart you can refer to which can help you decide if you qualify for any family assistance payments.

For an annual income of $50,000 with 2 children, you would receive $101 a week Family Tax Credit and $60 a week In Work Tax Credit. For an annual income of $50,001 to $50,500 with 2 children, you would receive $95 a week Family Tax Credit and $60 a week In Work Tax Credit.

A family income of $36,350 per annum or less receives the maximum payment, which is $60 a week In Work Tax Credit and $157 a week Family Tax Credit.

I have been living out of NZ for 12 years and was last home 8 years ago. After a one night stand at uni in the late 90s with an older girl she became pregnant and unbeknown to me had a child. My younger sister during this time found out about this and signed a birth certificate under my name. I have now subsequently found out that I owe thousands in child support as a result of my sisters naive actions. If i ever visit NZ will i be able to leave again with this owing? should i force ky sister to take tge wrap for her wrongdoing? any advice appreciated, my parents are getting older..

Assuming your grandniece is a NZ citizen or permanent resident, you will qualify for Family Assistance.

Payments are made to the principal child carer. The principal child carer is the eligible parent or the person responsible for the day to day care of the children.

Your entitlement will be based on your family income. Check out the pdf file in the main article to see how much you would be entitled to. For one child, the maximum family tax credit is $184 a fortnight. You may also qualify for in work tax credit of $120 a fortnight.

Your grandniece will need an IRD number (form IR595) and you can get one from IRD if she does not have an IRD number already.

You can contact Inland Revenue to apply for family assistance and you can apply online or by application form. You will need to decide if you want Family Assistance paid in fortnightly payments or paid as a lump sum at the end of the tax year.

Assuming your baby will be a NZ citizen or have permanent residence, you will qualify for family assistance.

The maximum fortnightly tax credit payment available for one child (for families earning less than $36,350 per annum) is $184. You may also qualify for the in-work tax credit of up to $120 a fortnight.

For newborns, you will qualify for Parental Tax Credit which is paid for the first eight weeks after the birth of your baby. The maximum amount is $1,200.

Working mothers may choose Paid Parental Leave instead of Parental Tax Credit , which is payable for 14 weeks at a maximum rate of $429 per week.

I have recently married, i am nz citizen born and raised. my partner is not a citizen. we are expecting our first born child here in Nz, am I, or is my wife still able to claim or entitled to any assistance from ird? family assistance or in work tax credits? as she is still awaiting her application for residency.. we are expecting our first new born in the next few weeks, please help us.. thankyou..

i am not a permanent residence or citizen but my son is a new zealand citizen we were staying overseas for 16 years .i decide to move to nz for my son study .what entitlement will be eligible for my son

If you return to New Zealand you will qualify for family assistance payments for your child. The amount you receive will depend on your family income. For one child the maximum weekly payment you can receive is $92 Family Tax Credit and $60 In Work Tax Credit.

Family assistance will stop at the latest at the end of the calendar year your son turns 18.

Could you please give me some feedback as to what entitlements or financial help we can avail in new zealand. My husband and 2 boys had New Zealand Permanent residency while mine is still a visitors visa. My husband works for 40 – 50 hours per week. Is my husband eligible for any financial support in NZ and if he is, how can he apply and where and also what are the requirements.

Can you be paid your backdated family tax credits immediately instead of at the end of the tax year? I have been signed up for them since 10 dec 2012 but IRD have not paid me anything. Only yesterday did i find out and contacted them.They told me that i would have to wait 3 working days for a reply regarding being paid my backdated credits immediately. Anyone have experience regarding this situation?

Hi there, we are NZ citizens and have been getting family tax credit for some years now. My husband left NZ in June 2012 to find work in Australia and I joined him in December. As he only worked a few months of the FY 2012-2013 is our tax credit adjusted automatically? I was only working part-time until December and am unsure if/how we need to claim that tax credit for that time?

If you are receiving family tax credit, you will usually have to complete a tax return in the year you leave New Zealand. Your tax credit entitlement will be worked out exactly when you file your tax return.

Hi quick question. I’m in a defacto relationship with my partner ( is a nz resident) and we are expecting our little one end of November. I’m currently here on a working visa from the United States.. Does my child get residency and what do we and our child get in benefits?

For your child to get NZ citizenship one of his/her parents must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident.

Assuming this is the case then you will qualify for family assistance. The amount you receive will depend on your family income. For one child, the maximum income threshold below which you will qualify for a payment of some sort is $72,500.

Hello – My American husband and I are about to move back to Christchurch after 6 years in London. I am pregnant with twins and due in November, my husband will be the only one working and he will be looking for work from September. The twins will be our first children, are we entitled to anything?

Assuming you are a NZ Citizen or have NZ residence then you will qualify for family assistance. The amount you receive will depend on your family income. For two children, the maximum yearly income threshold below which you will qualify for a payment of some sort is $89,000.

Hi,
My partner and I are currently separated, we are not married but we are both NZ citizens.
We have 2 children also born in NZ that we share custody of, no child support just mutual payments.
I’am currently renting in NZ well my ex partner is with her parents, Also in NZ.
We have been on working for families in the past but not sure if she still receives payments.
I work 40 hours a week at 23 an hour. Would I qualify for any sort of tax credit?

Hi I currently live in the UK. I have new zealand citizenship from my mother but have not lived in NZ. I wish to move to NZ with my three children. Once I am working would I be able to claim for family tax credit? Or would I have to wait a period of time?

If your children have residence which allows them to live in New Zealand (permanently) in their own right, then you will qualify for family assistance straight away. Otherwise you need to have lived in New Zealand for 12 months before you will qualify.

You don’t have to be working to receive family tax credit but you will need to be working to receive in-work tax credit.

I have just finished work to help raise my granddaughter so my daughter can go back to work full time. My daughter moved back in with me so caring would be easier.
My daughter works and her income is around $50k
Is there any financial assistance I can apply for as I no longer work and rely on what my daughter brings in.

Hi there,
my partner and i have two kids and i have a permanent resident visa my partner have work visa i am the only one working my partner look after the kid while im i work from monday to saturday our first child we had in tonga our second one we had it here we stay our own apartment so are they qualify for any sort of benefit?

Hello, I am a NZ citizen and have lived in Oz for the past five years, I have had two babies here and am now married, my question is, my husband and I are looking at moving back home ( he is a aussie citizen ) am wondering what I am eligible for ie family assistance etc and do my children have to become NZ citizens before I can claim anything, or do I qualify as I am already a citizen. Thank you.

You will qualify for family assistance as soon as you and your family arrive back in NZ. Your children will all be classed as ‘resident’ for family assistance purposes. (they’re entitled to be in New Zealand or Australia indefinitely)

my husband is self employed and cant afford to take a lot out of the business and I am only working 13 hours per week at $15.00 per hour and we are also expecting our first child at the end of may what kind of benefits are we entitled to

Hi..My sister who is a nz citizen has been living in australia for approximately 6-7years (classed as permanent resident for tax purposes only) now and is planning on returning to nz to have her child in september 2014. She plans on staying in nz for a period of twelve months. Can you advise if she would be entitled to any benefits at all? thanks

My wife and i have New Zealand citizenship and we have been living in New Zealand for more than 15 years. In 2011, my wife decided to go back to Taiwan to give birth of our first son. My wife came back to NZ with my son two and a half months later. My son has granted citizenship through us within 2 weeks. Now i was wondering do i still qualify for parental tax credit? Thanks

Hi, My wife and I are expecting our first baby here in NZ. She is a citizen and also working full time, unfortunately I am still only on my visitors visa due to my passport being damaged days before my visa application was due to be handed in therefore delaying the process. We are now in a position where I may not have my visa before the baby is born. Is my wife still entitled to claim anything and if so what?

I am a NZ permenant resident and my partner is a NZ Citizen, we have lived in Australia for the last 4 years and moved back to NZ early Feb this year, we are expecting our first child in October this year and wanted to see if we qualify for any tax credits or do I need to be in NZ for at least 12 months before we are entitled to any payments ? Your reply is much appreciated
Thanks
Jodie

My husband (NZ citizen) and I (NZ permanent resident) currently live in Australia, but will be returning to NZ to have our first child in a few months….would I be eligible for paid parental leave in New Zealand if I have been working full-time in Australia?

Paid parental leave is available to mothers who have been working in New Zealand. You may be eligible for Parental Tax Credit . This is a means tested payment for a newborn baby for the first eight weeks or 56 days after the baby is born. You can get up to $150 a week for the first eight weeks or 56 days after the baby is born.

Hello there, we got the first residency yesterday could you advise if we would be entitled to any benefits in NZ during the first 2 years while we are not permanent resident. We have been living here for more than 2 years and have 3 kids in primary school. Many thanks Edina

Hi there,
I am an Australian citizen but I am hoping to move to New Zealand as my partner is there. He is a New Zealand citizen. If I have a baby in New Zealand , am I able to get any financial support?
Regards

Hi. My wife is an Australian citizen and I am an Australian permanent resident. If we had a baby here in Australia and then moved to New Zealand would we immediately qualify for the family tax benefits? The eligibility criteria says you have to be a ‘resident’ but doesn’t say whether you have to be a ‘permanent resident’ or can just be a ‘temporary resident entitled to remain indefinitely’ (ie. Australian citizen/permanent resident).

As long as your baby has the right to stay in New Zealand indefinitely (i.e. is an Australian or NZ citizen), then you will meet the residency part for family assistance as soon as you arrive in New Zealand. How much you will receive will depend on your family income. Any missed payments between arriving in NZ and receiving family assistance are squared up at the end of the tax year.

You will qualify for family assistance as soon as you arrive in NZ to stay as long as your children have the right to live in NZ permanently, for example are NZ or Australian citizens or permanent residents.

How much you receive will depend on your family circumstances.

Use the links above to the tables to get an idea of the payments you can expect.

Hi there,
I am from the UK, my husband is from New Zealand and we are currently living in Australia.
We intend to relocate to New Zealand soon. Can you please tell me how long do we need to have lived in New Zealand before we would be entitled to Paid Parental Leave, we will be trying for a baby next year.
Thanks

You are eligible for parental leave if you have worked for the same employer for an average of at least 10 hours a week, and at least one hour in every week or 40 hours in every month, in the six or 12 months immediately before the baby’s expected due date.

If you do not qualify for this, you will qualify for parental tax credit which is s a payment for a newborn baby for the first eight weeks or 56 days after the baby is born in NZ. You can get up to $150 a week for the first eight weeks or 56 days after the baby is born.

My family (my wife and my 4-month old daughter) and I have been granted residence visa through skilled migrant category and we plan to move to NZ in the next 2 months. I have a couple of questions in regard to FTC and I would be grateful if you answer them:
1- Will we be eligible for FTC as we arrive, even if I can’t get a job offer before arrival or for a few months afterwards? and if yes, will we actually get paid fortnightly, or it is just a credit that will be deduced from our tax?

I am Australian Permanent resident and my husband is Australian citizen, we have 2 kids age 3 and 5 years old. Both of them are Australian Citizen. My husband just got a job offer in Christchurch and we are trying to calculate our living cost there.
my questions:
1. Are we able to get Health benefits as NZ permanent resident from our arrival time?
2. Do my kids receive benefits for their education, I heard NZ do free education from 3 – 5 years, will they be able to receive this? Also Would 5 years old be able to go to public school as NZ resident?
3. Are we able to get the family assistance payment?

Hi,
I am a NZ citizen, worked oversea and married. I returned to NZ with my child a year ago and receive FTC. I am pregnant with my second child now and plan to give a birth in oversea. Do I still eligible for FTC while I am abroad? Or do I need to report to Work and Income about this? I will be in oversea about 5 months and come back to NZ with my children.
Many thanks

From IRD website:
‘ You must meet at least one of the following residency requirements:

you’re a New Zealand resident and have been in New Zealand continuously for at least 12 months at any time. You must be both a tax resident and resident in New Zealand when you apply for your payments, or
the child(ren) you’re claiming for are both resident(s) and present in New Zealand.’

Hi there,
Could you please advice as to whether I would be eligible for any of the Family tax credit and In Work Tax credit. My husband and I have a New Zealand Permanent residency and so do our children. We are now on overseas work assignment. Our eldest daughter (16 years old) will move back to New Zealand in January 2015 for her education. Would she be entitled to any of the above payments as soon as she move back and if she is then when should we apply for? Many thanks.